GUWAHATI: The trend of young individuals sticking out of car sunroofs has given rise to severe safety concerns in Guwahati.
This upcoming trend of reckless behaviour, often observed on busy roads and during celebratory drives, poses a threat not only to those indulging in the act but also to other road users.
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In many cases, it has been observed that youth in the city stand out of sunroofs indulging in various activities such as photography or videography. Many also seek the thrill under the influence of alcohol or other inebriants. Recently this has become a trend or craze with many people opting for such behaviour to also look ‘cool’ or put it up on social media. Parents have been also seen giving such behaviour indulgence and justification as their children at times can be seen sticking out the sunroof of the vehicles.
Speaking to GPlus, Anil Gupta, a local from Nabin Nagar said, “It’s extremely hazardous. A sudden brake or collision could result in severe injuries or fatalities.
Many videos of these dangerous antics have also surfaced online, but sometimes this also influence today’s youth towards such behaviour.”
Speaking to GPlus, a senior traffic police official said, “Regarding the use of sunroofs, the Motor Vehicle Act doesn’t explicitly mention them, but penalties for endangering lives due to negligence are clear. We have begun imposing fines from ₹1,000 to ₹10,000 for people found violating the law by sticking out of sunroofs, as seen in many cases. But, this is all report-based and depends on whether we as authorities catch them red-handed. However, many such behaviours go unreported, and eventually pose a threat to other commuters on the road.”
To bring about better traffic discipline in Guwahati, curbing this risky trend is essential to ensuring the safety of all road user